Psy Reportedly Made Anti-American Remarks in the Past

BUFFALO, NY- He's known the world over for his hit song that has people dancing Gangnam Style. But South Korean rapper Psy, who is the star of the halftime show at next Sunday's Bills game in Toronto, has had to issue an apology for some anti-American comments he's made.

Psy's halftime show at the Bills vs. Seahawks game at the Rogers Centre in Toronto on December 16 will feature more than 60 dancers, Buffalo Jills Cheerleaders, and hundreds of contest winners performing Gangnam Style.

Back in 2002, Psy apparently smashed a model of an American tank onstage at a performance protesting the thousands of troops stationed in his native South Korea. It came after a tragic incident when a U.S. military vehicle ran over two 14-year-old Korean girls. The driver of the vehicle was later acquitted.

Two years later he recited lyrics in a song written by South Korean metal band N.E.X.T. called "Dear American" that said "Kill those -- Yankees who have been torturing Iraqi captives/Kill those -- Yankees that ordered them to torture/Kill their daughters, mothers, daughters-in-law and fathers/Kill them all slowly and painfully."

Today Psy apologized this statement:

"As a proud South Korean who was educated in the United States and lived there for a very significant part of my life, I understand the sacrifices American servicemen and women have made to protect freedom and democracy in my country and around the world. The song - from eight years ago - was part of a deeply emotional reaction to the war in Iraq and the killing of two innocent Korean civilians that was part of the overall antiwar sentiment shared by others around the world at that time. While I'm grateful for the freedom to express one's self I've learned there are limits to what language is appropriate and I'm deeply sorry for how these lyrics could be interpreted. I will forever be sorry for any pain I have caused anyone by those words.

I have been honored to perform in front of American soldiers in recent months - including an appearance on the Jay Leno show specifically for them - and I hope they and all Americans can accept my apology. While it's important we express our opinions, I deeply regret the inflammatory and inappropriate language I used to do so. In my music I try to give people a release, a reason to smile. I have learned that though music, our universal language we can all come together as a culture of humanity and I hope that you will accept my apology."